I’ve been in Indiana with Ryan for over a week now (which explains my lack of blogging)! We’ve been busy riding bikes, shopping, eating, eating, eating, taking advantage of the half off Fraps at Starbucks, hanging out, photographing a wedding, etc! It’s been an awesome start to summer break. :)

One week ago today I celebrated my 22nd birthday! It was 8.2.10 (8+2=10, get it?).

I had lots of good company, including my immediate family, my Aunt Marcie, my Cousin Darah and her boyfriend Micah, my BFF Nour, my FMIL Sara, and my paternal Grandparents. Notice I didn’t mention Ryan. :o( He was at camp in Pennsylvania and missed my birthday for the first time we’ve been together. The only thing I would’ve changed about the day is I so wish he could’ve been there.

Nonetheless, it was a pretty sweet day.

The day consisted of…

Sleeping in (duh!)

Relaxing until mid-afternoon

Arguing about dinner with my Mom (Okay, I would’ve changed that part too. It was ridiculous.)

Going to “The Blue Beagle” to paint pottery with Nour, Darah, and Micah

I painted this plate. Can’t wait to see the finished product! P.S.- I never claimed to be an artist.

Buying taco supplies to make dinner, after our argument was settled. (Long story short: My Mom was planning on Meatloaf, which I don’t like, and I thought it was only fair that I could choose my birthday dinner. She already bought the meat so I compromised on tacos. She didn’t like the idea.)

Picking up my Grandparents so they could join the celebration

Eating said tacos

Going to Little Prairie Lake, just down the road from us, for my baptismal service performed by my Aunt Marcie!

Opening cards and gifts
~Nour got me a reusable “to-go” cup, a candle, and Dove chocolates with birthday messages. Love it!
~Sara gave me an Ichthys for my car and Ryan’s birth charm + his birthstone + plus a little heart to put on a necklace. How awesome!

Playing Ungame

Midnight dancing to Michael Jackson in the living room with glowsticks (just like last year)

Talking to Ryan on the phone (I had to include him somewhere!)

My Mom made the cake and Darah decorated it! It turned out very pretty (and delicious!)

Our taco dinner

“Happy Birthday to You!” Is that a fire or a cake?

I asked Sara to help me blow out my candles since her birthday is two days after mine. And plus, I wouldn’t have enough breath for 22 candles!

This song came on during the celebration… “Cindy’s Birthday.” Haha, close!

By far, the most memorable and best part of the day was being baptized. Jesus transformed my life 5 years ago, when I first accepted Him into it, but I was never baptized until last week. It has been on my heart for a while now to be obedient to God’s Word and be baptized. There’s no better birthday gift than that.

..and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ... 1 Peter 3:21

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

First, we made a circle and anointed the person to the left of us with oil.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19

A panoramic view.

Before and during the baptism, Marcie said she envisioned a dove with my baptism, similar to Jesus’ baptism; found in Matthew 13:16 At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.

During the ceremony, my Mom and Sara both saw a cloud in the shape of a dove behind me in the sky. We all turned around to see the sight. Unfortunately, it wasn’t captured on camera.

We didn’t get pictures of me being dunked, but here is directly after. Sara was the one who actually dunked me, which made it even more special!

Early Tuesday morning, I found myself on the way to Indiana yet again! This time, I was a passenger with Ryan’s Mom and his Grandparents. We were en route to the John Tibbs CD release party that night and we were also Ryan’s ride back home. He was gone playing drums for a few weeks at camps in Pennsylvania and Michigan with John Tibbs. Those 2.5 weeks felt like forever so I was definitely excited to see him again!